On 13 September 2009, a three member team from Perspectives visited Rahul Vihar and Baudh Vihar colonies, located on the bank of the Hindon River near the National Highway 24 in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. The colonies were recently in news when angry residents blocked the NH-24 for over six hours on 5th September protesting against the allegedly imminent demolition of their dwellings. The team spoke to the residents, local journalists and a NGO working in the area. Following are the brief observations of the team.
1. The sale of land in the area, which is part of the catchment area of the Hindon River, began around 12-14 years ago, when Ghaziabad was emerging as a satellite town of Delhi. Local farmers sold their holdings to the land mafia at extremely low prices, which then sold it to migrants to the city. The land mafia also dumped fly ash on the banks of the Hindon River, covered it with soil and sold this ‘land’ to unknowing people. Land allotted for housing needs of the poor was also transferred. Over the past 12 years, colonies have developed along a 7 km long stretch on both sides of the Hindon River in Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar districts. It is important to note that this could not have happened without the knowledge of the Irrigation Department of the U.P. government, which is responsible for managing the catchment area. The residents, a large proportion of whom are dalits and Muslims, either own the plots (for which they have ownership documents) or live on rent. Most of them possess ration cards, electoral identity cards and have electricity connections. They are either self-employed workers or have petty jobs in factories and the industrial areas in Ghaziabad and Noida. The area has several schools, temples, mosques, mobile tower and a mixing plant of EPSCO Company. It falls under the jurisdiction of Noida Sector 58 and Vijaynagar police stations.
2. On 3rd September 2009, the SDM, ADM (City) and Irrigation Department officials visited the site for a survey of the Hindon River. On 4th September, the Irrigation Department officials marked 400 m on either side of the River as the catchment area. The officials arrived with bulldozers the next day in Chijarsi, which is on one side of the River in Noida. The rumour that the colonies on both sides of the River would be demolished spread rapidly and there was panic amongst the people. Soon, angry residents blocked the NH-24. The mob violence that followed, and the subsequent lathi charge and firing of tear gas shells by the police was reported by the media.
3. However, what has remained unreported since, is the reign of terror that the police has unleashed on the residents of the area. According to a local journalist, cases have been filed against 900 unknown and 49 named persons under sections 146, 147, 148, 149 (rioting), 307 (attempt to murder), 323, 336, 427 and 436 of the IPC. SSP Akhil Kumar has been quoted as saying that the arrested persons will be booked under the National Security Act.
4. In the last week, the police have been raiding the colonies at all hours of the day and night. They enter the houses and beat up men and women indiscriminately. In many cases, the police locked the houses from outside, entered the houses through the roof and then beat up the residents so that they could not escape.
5. The terror of the police is so great that many people have fled the area, and their houses and shops are locked since last week. Others are hiding near their houses, living in fear of the frequent raids. The daily lives of the people have been disrupted, and wage workers have been unable to go to work to Noida or Ghaziabad. The police are even dragging people from tempos (local vehicles) and beating them up. Schools have been shut in the area and many families have stopped cooking meals in their homes.
6. 53 people were arrested in police raids which began at 4:00 a.m. on 8th September. 14 people were arrested on 10th September. Till now, 67 people have been arrested and sent to Dasna jail in Ghaziabad. Each person has been arrested under 19 cases, thus denying any hope for bail. A large number of those arrested are dalits and Muslims, who are watchmen, hawkers, shopkeepers, tailors and sweepers by profession. Wives and sisters of those who have been arrested have reported that they are being beaten badly and meted out inhuman treatment inside the jail.
7. A local NGO working in the area has collected evidence and testimonies to show that many of those arrested were not even present at NH-24 during the incident of 5th September. Sonu Chaudhary, a class 10th student has been arrested and sent to Dasna jail as well. The arrests are random, and are being undertaken in the spirit of revenge and collective punishment for the community.
In view of the aforementioned incidents, and with the intention of creating pressure on the district and state administration to immediately stop unjustified and illegal police action, it is proposed that a team of eminent individuals should visit the area. The fact finding team should meet the local people, officials of the Ghaziabad Development Authority, Irrigation Department and the District Magistrate and subsequently organise a press conference for the media.
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